Podiatrist in Plano, TX, Explains Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails are painful, inconvenient, and can make walking difficult. If you believe you’re suffering from an ingrown toenail, there are some measures you can take at home to relieve your pain. However, there are times you may have to visit our podiatrist in Plano, TX, to be evaluated, such as infection or severe, deep ingrown toenail. Read more about how you should handle ingrown toenails below.

Symptoms of Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails cause pain, redness, and discomfort. You may experience swelling, tenderness, and hardness around the affected toe as well. If your toenail becomes infected, the toenail might develop pus and bleeding. You must visit our doctor if you develop signs of infection.

Causes of Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails are generally caused by shoes that don’t fit well and put pressure on the big toe, causing it to grow into the surrounding skin. Other causes include:

Cutting your toenails too short, which encourages the nail to grow into the skin
Bunions
Toe injury
Genetic factors

Treatment & Prevention

Our podiatrist may recommend foot soaks, antibiotic creams, pain relievers, and wide shoes to treat your ingrown toenail. Make sure you keep your feet dry after washing or soaking.

To prevent future problems, make sure you:

Cut your toenail straight across. Don’t round them out.
Avoid nail salons, especially if you have an existing ingrown toenail. Pedicurists do not know how to deal with ingrown toenails, and their tools can create infections.
Wear well-fitting shoes with a wide toe box.
Treat any contributing conditions, such as bunions or toenail fungus.

If you develop an infection, we may prescribe oral antibiotics or toenail removal. Contact our podiatrist if your pain worsens.

Contact Our Podiatrist in Plano, TX, Today To Learn More!

The information provided in this article is not meant to be medical advice and is for educational purposes only. If you would like to learn more about hammertoe and other topics related to podiatry, feel free to contact Dallas Podiatry Works, with a convenient podiatry office in Plano, TX, by calling 972.564.8556 or by clicking here.

The doctor has great “bedside manners” when talking to patients. Great staff and comfortable atmosphere.

Derrick W.

The staff at Dallas Podiatry Works could not have been more courteous, helpful, and professional in doing their job. They made me feel comfortable when I was there, which is certainly appreciated. They answered all the questions that I had and just made each visit the most pleasurable that it could be. I would highly recommend them to anyone needing this type of foot care.

Joseph B.

I would highly recommend Dr. Brook to anyone with foot problems–especially problems that stump other podiatrists. He really is very caring and very knowledgeable.

Jeannette H.

Dr. Joel Brook and the staff were nice and helpful. Though I was a new patient, I got right in as soon as they were open in my preferred location. They diagnosed the problem and provided medicines along with a perfect gel bandage so I could keep exercising while my toes healed. My toes already hurt less and look a little better each day. If I have future issues, I will be a repeat customer. Here’s hoping I don’t, but at least I know my feet are in good hands.

Meryl E.

I visited this office for an ingrown toe nail a few years ago. After seeing another doctor, who made it worse, he referred me to Dallas Podiatry Works. The doctor there was able to fix my problem. I’m not great with reviews, all I can tell you is that this doctor and staff will have you up and running or doing whatever it is you do in no time. You will be in great hands. You’d be a fool not to use this doctor. Now its time to visit him again for the other toe.

Google User

Been having bad ankle pains for 6 months was referred here and it was a great visit ladies in the front desk medical assistants and the Doctor were all very friendly and make you feel very comfortable.